Multi-Buy Deals Come under Fire

Multi-Buy Deals Come under Fire

Article excerpt

National Consumer Council claims supermarket promotions on HFSS foods have the biggest impact on obesity.

Supermarkets have come under attack for contributing to the obesity crisis by running two-for-one offers on unhealthy foods.

Anna Fielder, senior policy adviser at the National Consumer Council, claimed that citing a link between advertising and obesity was 'facile' and instead laid the blame on supermarkets' promotional strategies.

Speaking at Marketing's conference on marketing to children and parents last week, Fielder said: 'Research shows that the vast majority of food on special offer is high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS). Our social marketing is telling us that has far more influence than advertising.'

Speaking during the same debate, John Whittingdale, chairman of the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee, said that greater restrictions on food advertising could result in marketers ploughing money into more BOGOF promotions.

He also revealed that, despite increased ad restrictions, there was a low level of awareness of the Advertising Standards Authority's codes among politicians. …